Thursday, February 28, 2019

Willa Has Already Chosen Her 2 Year Gotcha Day Meal, Sweet Treat, And Gift


Willa's 2 Year Gotcha Day is coming up on March 2nd. Yes. It's already been 2 years. Where has the time gone?! When our kids celebrate their Gotcha Days, they get to choose their favorite meals, a special sweet treat, and a gift. Willa has already chosen all 3...

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

When I Am Five Minutes Late Giving Our Kids Their Afternoon Snack...


Lisa went back to work on Monday after a weeklong vacation. Our normal scheduled resumed. Monday was shaky and I didn't get a lot done because of a massive windstorm that lasted for almost 24 hours. Yesterday, I busted ass to get caught up. This led to being a few minutes late giving the kids their early afternoon snack and daily multivitamin. The kids ganged up on me. They sat there. Giving me THE LOOK.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

I Wanted To Share This Moment With You


When Lisa gets home from work, I'm usually in the middle of prepping dinner or finishing up something I'm working on. Regardless of what I'm doing, the kids always let me know when Lisa is home. For the longest time, I have been wanting to capture that very moment. The other day, I finally did.

Monday, February 25, 2019

Mother Nature Had Other Plans For Me Today


It's back to the grind for the both of us today. We were both up at 4:00 a.m. Lisa left for work at 5:20. I immediately jumped into my usual morning routine. I had a bunch of work stuff that I wanted to get done today. Blog columns. Social media. Creating a new homemade dog treat. Grind chicken to make a big batch of Bodacious Magic Meatballs. Work my magic on the Bodacious DIY Birdhouses that Lisa built last week. Housework. But...

Saturday, February 23, 2019

A Person Who Feels Appreciated Will Always Do More Than Expected


When I was growing up, my parents were very strict about manners and extending gratitude. It was always please and thank you. When I received gifts for birthdays and holidays and other special occasions, before I could enjoy the gift or spend the money, I had to write a thank you note. I have many memories of sitting at the kitchen table writing out thank you notes and cards.

Friday, February 22, 2019

My Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop Table Is Filling Up


Yesterday I published a blog column about our Bodacious DIY Birdhouses. Lisa has been working in her Bodacious Woodshop most of the week. I've got Bodacious DIY Birdhouses, a DIY Dog Toybox, and lots of fresh cut and sanded wood filling up my Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop table.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Finally! Our Bodacious DIY Birdhouses Are Coming To Life...


Lisa has been on vacation this week. We are loving our combination Staycation Workcation. Lisa has spent a lot of time in her Bodacious Woodshop building awesome creations. I've been a happy Dog Mom in my Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop. After almost a year, Lisa finally started on a project she's been wanting to do for quite some time.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

A Comment. A Response. Enough Said.


I posted this photo on my personal Facebook wall yesterday. As of late, I've been trying to post more "food porn" photos after a lengthy hiatus. Less than 24 hours after posting this photo, someone made a comment that rubbed us both the wrong way...

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

We Moved A Few Things Around Yesterday. Change Is Good.


Earlier this month, I wrote a blog column about how our Spring Cleaning was going to be much different this year. After completing our Big Bodacious Painting Project last May, Spring Cleaning would no longer include rearranging furniture and switching rooms. Last week, prior to Lisa being on vacation this week, I got a lot of Spring Cleaning done. While doing so, well...

Monday, February 18, 2019

Willa. Just. Knew.


When we make nail trim appointments for our kids, we do 2 at a time. Sophie and Lobo one day. Coco and Willa the next. Today, Sophie and Lobo went for their pawi-cures.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Here Are 8 Reasons Why We Embrace Staycations And Workcations


Most everyone knows that Lisa is on vacation this coming week. Since last week, we've been pounded with the usual questions...

Saturday, February 16, 2019

My Saturday Afternoon Bliss...


Today, to kick off Lisa's vacation, I booted her to the curb. As in...to the sofa. With our furry kids. To relax. Exhale. Yes, I had to raise my voice and put my hands on my hips for her to comply, but eventually she did.

Friday, February 15, 2019

The Possibilities Are Endless With Our New Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder


Earlier this month, we purchased a Cuisinart Meat Grinder for several reasons. We spent a little more than we wanted to, but we scored a fantastic deal. And, the reviews were great. You can read all about that here. Less than a week after we ordered the meat grinder, it was delivered. We've used it quite a bit since. This afternoon I needed to cook some chicken for our kid's meals and make more Bodacious Magic Meatballs. It was the perfect opportunity to take photos of the process from start to finish.

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Happy Valentine's Day From Our Home To Yours!


Today is Valentine's Day. Most of the human population is spending an exuberant amount of money on overpriced chocolates and roses, steak and seafood dinners, jewelry, and generic, sappy greeting cards. To each their own. I'm certainly not knocking this commercialized holiday and those who choose to get sucked in.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

We Always Take Care Of Each Other. Unconditionally.


Our kids are amazing for so many reasons. One of those reasons is their ability to know when either one of their Mamas are out of kilter. Whether one of us is sick, sad, or simply having a bad day, they just know. When they sense it, they're glued to our sides and more than ready to dole out extra lovin' and snuggles.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

I Created Another Homemade Dog Treat! Here Is The Recipe!


Last week, I created a new homemade dog treat recipe. It was the day before we went grocery shopping. That made it the perfect day to Spring Clean the kitchen cupboards and refrigerator. I had a container of Greek Yogurt that I needed to use up and a few carrots in the produce drawer. My inspiration behind this treat was using those pup friendly odds and ends ingredients to create a scrumptious treat.

Monday, February 11, 2019

I Knew This Week Was Coming...


I have prepared myself for this week. For a bit now. I know saying that is right up there with Vague-Booking It, but...there are some things better left unsaid. Details that are better left not mentioned. For so many reasons. And it goes well beyond sharing the messy stuff.

Sunday, February 10, 2019

My Food Porn Photo Hiatus Has Ended


Last month I received a message from an acquaintance of mine. Short. Sweet. Simple. They asked why I haven't been posting a lot of "food porn" photos as of late. I used to. At least a dozen a week. Now, some weeks go by without a photo of something I've cooked or my sweet confections. I replied back. In the weeks to follow, I made an effort to post more "food porn" photos.

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Our Homemade Valentine's Day Dog Treat Recipes


Valentine's Day is less than a week away. I have a love hate relationship with this particular holiday. I absolutely despise the commercialization. The pressure that retailers and marketers put on couples to spend big. The Couple's Dinner options at restaurants. The Valentine's Day dinner packages at local grocery stores. Overpriced roses. The redundant jewelry commercials. And, lets not forget the heart shaped boxes of chocolates and plush teddy bears.

Friday, February 8, 2019

It's Been One Of Those Weeks For So Many Reasons


On occasion, I have one of those days. You know the ones I'm talking about. You wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Nothing seems to go right. Murphy's Law is in full swing. The Universe is whacky. And, trying to maintain any type of balance seems 'bout near impossible. Well, I didn't just have one of those days. It's been one of those weeks.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

We Are A Little Off Schedule, But...


Our holiday Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project rush begins towards late September and ends mid-December. Once the rush winds down, I spend the week before Christmas baking and putting gift baskets together. During the week between Christmas and New Year's day is spent taking down the indoor and outdoor decorations and catching up on anything and everything that got put on the back burner during the month of December.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Sounds Like The Perfect Vacation. The Kids Agree Too.


I woke up at 3:45 this morning. I almost immediately dove into my usual morning routine. Pee. Make coffee. Make a hot breakfast for Lisa. Pack Lisa's lunch for work. At some point throughout my Monday through Friday morning routine, Lisa gets up and begins hers. Take the kids out. Prepare their breakfast. Eats her breakfast. Shower. Get dressed for work.

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Bodacious Magic Meatballs


The meals and snacks that our kids eat are all homemade. We've been doing this for almost 7 years now. Their meals consist of a variety of lean meats, raw and cooked vegetables, fresh fruit, grains, a bit of dairy, and mashed sweet potatoes. We also bake homemade dog treats from recipes that I've created. In addition to fresh baked dog treats, they also get roasted chicken and raw fruits and vegetables for snack. 

Monday, February 4, 2019

Spring Cleaning Is Going To Be Completely Different This Year


For most of my adult life, I've had an unusual habit. No matter where I've lived, at least once a year, I get the urge to move furniture around. As in, I need to redo at least one room. I've always caved to this urge. Lisa has been more than patient with my redecorating endeavors even if they weren't efficient or practical. This year, that has all changed...

Sunday, February 3, 2019

For The Last Time, The Road Travels Both Ways...


When we adopted Coco almost 7 years ago, taking a day trip to New Hampshire to visit family was doable. As our family grew year after year, that was no longer an option. At that point, Lisa would make 2 trips to New Hampshire a year. I stayed home with the kids. In return, family would make day trips down to Connecticut 2 times a year. But, for reasons unknown, that came to a halt almost 3 years ago when Lisa made her last overnight trip to New Hampshire.

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Our New Cuisinart Electric Meat Grinder Will Be Delivered On Thursday!


A couple of days ago, I mentioned that I was going to shop around for a meat grinder. This is a kitchen appliance I never thought in a million years that we'd want or need. Over the past couple of days, I've shopped around for one. I've scoped the great big virtual world for sales, online coupons, reviews, and researched what we need versus what's out there. 

Friday, February 1, 2019

A Red Tailed Hawk And The Loss Of A Very Dear Friend


Over the past 24 hours, I've experienced a major span of emotions that has ranged from absolutely exhilarating to devastating. How does that happen?